Pacquiao: Mayweather Is Not 'Difficult'

Pacquiao: Mayweather Is Not 'Difficult'

Article excerpt

LAS VEGAS * Manny Pacquiao worried about the punching power of
Miguel Cotto. He knew Juan Manuel Marquez was a slick
counterpuncher, and wondered how he'd fare against a fighter the
caliber of Oscar De La Hoya.

He's got no such worries about Floyd Mayweather Jr., on the eve
of boxing's richest fight ever.

"I cannot say he is that difficult an opponent," Pacquiao said
Tuesday. "My confidence right now is different than the other fights
I had. I feel excited, this is it. I have to prove something."

Just hours after arriving in this boxing capital in a motor home
from Los Angeles, Pacquiao oozed confidence at a rally attended by
about 1,000 people at the Mandalay Bay hotel. The mostly Filipino
crowd watched Pacquiao's latest music video and was entertained by
dancers and singers before the fighter himself made a brief
appearance.

Oddsmakers aren't so convinced, with Pacquiao remaining about a 2-
1 underdog for a fight expected to earn him more than $100 million.
But Pacquiao didn't even have to break a sweat to win over the crowd
that came to the hastily arranged pep rally in a convention area at
the hotel.

Mayweather was greeted by a much bigger crowd at the MGM Grand
hotel, the site of Saturday night's welterweight title fight. The
Southern University marching band entertained and a mariachi band
played outside before Mayweather arrived 20 minutes early.

For many, it was their only chance to see the two fighters
without reaching deep in their pockets. Tickets for the fight itself
were being offered online starting at $3,800 and going over $100,000
near ringside.

"Five years ago this was a $50 million fight for me and $20
million for him," said Mayweather, who is expected to make $180
million or more.

With the real work already done, both fighters were going over
game plans for a bout that was five years in the making. Pacquiao
said he had two or three strategies for the fight, depending on
whether Mayweather wants to try to win with his defense or comes out
attacking.